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Troponin

Does this test have other names?

What is this test?

This test measures the amount of the protein troponin in your blood.

Troponin is found in cells in your heart muscle. When these cells are injured—most often because the heart isn't getting enough oxygen and nutrients—they can release troponin and other substances into the blood.

Measuring your levels of troponin often can quickly tell your healthcare provider whether you are having a heart attack. During a heart attack, an artery that feeds your heart muscle with blood becomes blocked.

Why do I need this test?

You might have this test if your healthcare provider suspects that you are having a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack often include:

Pain or discomfort in the chest that may feel like a squeezing sensation or a sense of fullness

Pain in other areas, such as the neck, back, arm, or jaw

Shortness of breath

Lightheadedness or dizziness

Nausea or vomiting

Sudden sweating

Extreme tiredness

What other tests might I have along with this test?

Your healthcare provider may also order other tests to diagnose a heart attack and learn more about how it's affecting the heart. These tests often include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity

Blood tests to measure creatine kinase MB, a substance found in heart muscle and other tissues

What do my test results mean?

Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your healthcare provider.

Results are given in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The normal range for troponin is between 0 and 0.4 ng/mL.

Other types of heart injury may cause a rise in troponin levels. These include:

Atrial fibrillation

Heart failure

Myocarditis

Damage to the heart from anthracycline medicines. These are used for cancer treatment.

Conditions in other parts of your body may cause troponin levels to rise. These include:

Blood clot in your lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

How is this test done?

The test requires a blood sample, which is drawn through a needle from a vein in your arm.

Does this test pose any risks?

Taking a blood sample with a needle carries risks that include bleeding, infection, bruising, or feeling dizzy. When the needle pricks your arm, you may feel a slight stinging sensation or pain. Afterward, the site may be slightly sore.

What might affect my test results?

Having this test too soon after a heart attack may give a false-negative. Cardiac troponin takes a few hours to rise after heart-cell death begins. Your healthcare provider may need to measure it several times over a few hours after the symptoms start.

How do I get ready for this test?

You don't need to prepare for this test. But be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illicit drugs you may use.